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A fisher-based, catch-sampling program for a large-scale, benthic molluscan fishery

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 01:46 authored by Paul BurchPaul Burch, Mayfield, S, Chick, RC
Obtaining data on the length structure of commercial catches typically requires sub-sampling, but adequate, representative sampling is difficult to achieve. This problem is magnified in fisheries harvesting over large spatial scales or where the morphology among catches is variable. Data from the South Australian abalone fishery were used to determine a sampling program for the practical collection of accurate and representative commercial-catch-sampling data by commercial fishers. The performance of five alternative sampling programs was assessed against a range of simulated true populations. Regular, small samples at the first stage of the fishing process provided the most accurate and precise measures of the length structure of the commercial catch, whilst also having a low impost on fishers. Performance declined substantially at reduced participation rates; confidence intervals at 70% participation rates were typically twice those at 100%. Accuracy and precision were comparable among different fishing areas and true populations, suggesting a single sampling program would provide unbiased data on the length–frequency distribution of the commercial catch, even when fishers target numerous, morphologically different populations. Outcomes of this study are applicable to other fisheries targeting stocks with a variable, fine-scale population structure, and where industry stewardship promotes active participation in data collection and resource management.

History

Publication title

Fisheries Research

Volume

106

Pagination

535-542

ISSN

0165-7836

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Elsevier Science Bv

Place of publication

Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 Elsevier

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Wild caught edible molluscs

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